So, Yu & Zhang skate to their personal best here at Skate America en route to a silver medal and bump James & Cipres off the Grand Prix Final. Of course, I was personally routing for the French, but the Chinese just couldn't be denied at Skate America as they were close to whistle clean.

Smart move on both Medvedeva's and Jin's parts -- no point in further aggravating an injury w/the Olympics just two months away.

Selfishly, I think the ladies event just got more interesting too! I think whoever medals here will get a little boost for the individual Olympic silver and bronze medal campaigns. Furthermore, either Higuchi or Miyahara can also earn a little bit of body of work capital right before Japanese Nationals! My predictions: 1. Zagitova, 2. Kostner, 3. Osmond

And I like that I get to see another head to head between Jason Brown and Adam Rippon right before US Nationals. Realistically speaking, I think both Brown and Rippon are jockeying for position before San Jose. Since neither have a consistent quad, I really don't see them contending for a medal here. My predictions: 1. Chen, 2. Uno, 3. Kolyada

For the pairs, I predict Sui & Han will win here relatively handily. All in all, their performances have been the most technically solid and garner great PCS.

Don't know why it didn't dawn on me sooner that my cable provider allows me to record and watch later! Spares me from waking up before dawn!

PAIRS SP:Save the top two, there were falls, slips, and silly spills throughout, but what I saw were experienced teams and composed competitors who recovered quickly and, not only salvaged their performances, but performed well. Savchenko & Massot were the PERFORMANCE of the day and are deservedly 1st. They PERFORMED!! The elements were not highlights so much, but just interwoven into the program. It seemed so fresh stylistically in comparison to the others, I didn't realize it was their last season's SP. Should make for an exciting FS.

MEN SPClear gap between the top 3 and bottom 3 in terms of degree of difficulty. Highest base value from/4Lutz-3toe AND 4flip plus one fall from each Uno and Kolyada gives Chen the slim lead here. Unless Kolyada implodes in the FS again, I can't see any of the bottom 3 sneaking his way onto the podium.

Regarding the battle within the battle between Brown and Rippon: even had Rippon NOT gotten that carrot on his 3Lutz, Brown, even with his step out, still would've gotten the edge.